Having opportunities for career growth and learning the ropes of the trade are two separate issues, and should not be confused as one and the same. The former implies climbing the corporate ladder and taking on more managerial roles. The latter on the other hand, refers to hands-on and in-depth learning of job-related skills to better perform in your role.

Some questions to ask yourself:

Is there a promotion which you can look forward to?

Are you stagnant with no further signs of career progression for the next couple of years?

If your answer is no to both questions, it might be time for you to seriously consider your job options.

The Workplace Trifecta

There is an unofficial trifecta of traits which can help gauge how good or bad a job is. In no particular order they are work-life balance, pay cheque and work environment. No job is perfect, but if at least two of the three traits are positive, most will find themselves staying at their jobs. For example, if the job pays well and there is a supportive working environment, people tend to stay on - regardless. Do you have at least two of the three aforementioned traits in the positive?

Work ≠ Pay

While double-hatting has now become the new normal, triple or quadruple hatting is an entirely different issue. This is especially so, if you are shouldering extra responsibilities and work over a protracted period of time. Working hard and smart is a good virtue to have at work, but when the amount of effort and time put into work is not equal to your pay cheque, that is a red flag and an indication to start looking elsewhere.

Work-Related Stress = Health Issues

The Whole Health Organization defines work-related stress as, “the responses people may have when presented with work demands and pressures are not matched to their knowledge and abilities which challenge one’s ability to cope”.1 While a healthy amount of stress is proven to boost productivity at work, large doses of stress over time can cause physical and mental harm. Research conducted have shown that work-related stress makes one more susceptible to heart diseases and in some cases, depression or anxiety. Work is work, and it is definitely not worth you risking a heart attack or breakdown to try fulfil the unattainable demands of your job.

Retrenchment is in the Air

If you have witnessed colleagues “mysteriously” disappearing from your office (they were at work in the morning but their desks were cleared out after lunch), it is most likely that they were let go. With this gloomy economy, retrenchment is bound to be in the air and the first line of defence for any company facing financial issues, would be to cut down on manpower costs.

On that note, it would be a larger red flag if no one from management addressed the issue - whether personally or via a generic email. The saying, “no news is good news” does not apply here. Think about it. Can you work for a company which does not address issues which affect your daily work, and keeps silent about its financial status and overall direction?

If leaving your job without securing another is the main reason why you are not jumping ship, head on over hereto start your job search now!